Minor setback. Can it get worse before it gets better?

Hello again,

I have a question for all the CPAP veterans. My CPAP compliance and time using the machine is slowly increasing. It is now my eighth day using the machine, I am now up to about 7 and a half hours sleep and my AHI ranges each night from about 0.5 to 3. I have been checking with a finger tip oximeter and the moment I wake up my blood oxygen percentage is about 99 percent. It then drops and fluctuates from between 98% and 96%. I have checked the oximeter on my wife too (she seems to suffer from mild OSA but refuses treatment) and she reads at 90% blood oxygen when waking up. The machine indicates that the mask fit is good and everything else is fine. (I must admit I felt a little better a couple of days ago, but now it's worse)

My question is: why then do I feel worse in the mornings now, spaced out and not with it slowly improving as the day goes on? Can it get worse before it gets better?

Another thing I have noticed as well, I am more prone to 'dead' limbs and pins and needles in my hands and arms when using the machine. I have noticed next to one of my fingernails there is a small infection, this is on one of the fingers that is prone to getting the circulation cut off. This is not a problem when I am sleeping without the machine.

I know that (or presume anyways!) there are no doctors on the forum and I am not looking for a diagnosis. Just anecdotal experiences of anyone who has either had these symptoms or experienced feeling worse before getting better.

Can anyone advise please? Thanks for helping a newbie out!

Some people -- the lucky few -- feel great right away. The rest of us need some time to get used to this therapy and to start to feel better. I have been on PAPpy for about 6 months. I felt a small improvement early on; then things stayed that way for quite a while. Now, I am finally sleeping through most of the night. This is a vast improvement because I also have chronic pain and have been getting up 2 to 4 times per night for something like 17 years.

Have patience. You will probably need to make adjustments to your set up before you get the maximum benefit. I changed from a nasal pillow to a nasal mask. I was surprised that I like the nasal mask, but it stays in place better than the pillow. Some people love the pillow and hate the mask. Others need the full face mask due to mouth breathing.

I have also played with my humidifier settings to find the one that works for me. I also added a "hose cozy" which really cut down on the noise of the hose. I am still with my bed pillow, but I know that many of the folks here have changed pillows.

Then there are the issues of "hose management" and placement of the machine (on a side table, on the floor, etc.). Each of us has a unique set up that works for us.

Most of us have figured all of this out over time. I know it's a hassel, but it is worth it. So, hang in there. It does get better over time.

You need pulseox readings during sleep, not after you wake up. Not even immediately after you wake up. You need a recording pulseox to get useful information.

Sometimes, you lay still more with CPAP and will have more problems with arms going to sleep, etc.